Concentrations of antidiuretic hormone in plasma during human sodium restriction

Negative sodium balance was produced in 10 human volunteers. Body weight, plasma sodium, osmolality, hematocrit, renin activity (PRA), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentrations were determined before, during, and after sodium restriction. Body weight declined and PRA rose during the period of low sodium intake. Plasma sodium concentration and osmolality did not change. A statistically significant change in ADH was not observed. It is suggested that a decrease in ADH was prevented by a rising titer of renin and contraction of the extracellular space.